Musangwe (Venda Combat), also known as Musangwe: Fight Club, is a South African documentary filmed and produced by ASI-B Films which documents the world of Musangwe – an annual bare knuckle fighting tournament in Limpopo where women are forbidden and ordinary men become warriors.
The documentary premiered in the UK on 1 October, 2007. It is an hour long.
Musangwe: Fight Club aired in South Africa in two parts on e.tv on Sunday 7 and 14 November, 2010, at 18h30.
Synopsis
e.tv gives viewers a rare glimpse into the world of Musangwe – an annual bare knuckle fighting tournament in Limpopo where women are forbidden and ordinary men become warriors in the two-part documentary Musangwe (Venda Combat).
Bloody and brutal to some, and sacred to others, this documentary follows Musangwe fighters as they journey towards becoming champion.
The tournament has been taking place in the Venda region of Limpopo since the early part of the 20th century. Discover much more than broken bones and bruised faces but a cultural tradition that connects the men of Venda's Gaba and Tshifudi villages to their forefathers.
The villages are Musangwe rivals and a win for the individual fighter is also a win for his village.
The documentary follows the fighters' journey as they prepare for the tournament and enter the ring, tracing the origins of a practice some consider to be barbaric, and uncovering why these men risk broken bones and even their lives for no money or prizes, simply the title of Legwena – the ‘real champion' of Musangwe.
The Men of Musangwe
Self-appointed Musangwe president Mr. Poison Ndevane explains the history behind the tournament and how the use of traditional medicines sets it apart from any other fighting tournament.
General Abu is a former taxi owner who runs his own Musangwe training academy to pass the traditions of Musangwe on to the next generation.
Defending champion Foster ignores his fellow Musangwe fighters' warnings and risks everything to fight again.
Muscle man Cyborg is a 19-year-old fighter who dreams that his Musangwe fighting expertise will grab the attention of a boxing scout.
Senior can trace his ancestors back to the first generation of Musangwe fighters – he feels it's his birthright to become the next champion.
Diesel's military training makes him a formidable fighter. Will his healthy lifestyle give him the advantage?
Kota's day job as a forensic investigator doesn't stop him from dreaming of becoming the next Musangwe champion.
JC dreams of making a comeback after his stint in prison. Despite his struggles with alcoholism he's determined to be Musangwe champion.
Part 1 (Sunday 7 November)
The first part of the documentary begs the question, is Musangwe an exercise in senseless violence or an honoured cultural tradition?
When we journey into the homes of our seven fighters and find family men and respectable patriarchs the view of the bloodthirsty sport starts to change, until former champion Foster challenges relative novice Big Show to a fight.
To all witnesses this seems like a bad idea but Foster's pride spurs him on.
The fight's climax makes us realise why the tournament has its brutal reputation and why even being a spectator isn't for the faint-hearted.
Part 2 (Sunday 14 November)
The mammoth battle when muscle-man Cyborg and military-trained Diesel enter the ring makes us question what it takes to become a Musangwe champion, whether it's a case of brawn or technical expertise.
We expect blood, bruises and broken bones, but no one sees the eventual winner of this stand-off coming. We get to know our Musangwe fighters better and see their curious pre-match rituals, even sexual abstinence.
Feel the energy of the Musangwe crowd as they call for their champion. The fights gain momentum until their Legwena is crowned.